UPDATE: For those following along, here is a current list of sponsors. We, and they, appreciate your support of AMERICA'S ONLY 2016 DAKAR TEAM! ICO RACING - World's most popular rally computer IF YOU SEE KAY WINES - Great wine and really came to the table! CRAFTSMAN TOOLS - Fantastic mechanic's tools MOTION PRO TOOLS - World's best specialty moto tools, controls, and cables BAJA DESIGNS - The Scientists of Lighting MX1WEST - Importer of the best exclusive gear KTM - KTM Brasil stepped up to support Ian RIFF RAFF - Couldn't do any of this without our Riff Raff fan club!!! F2R - Most awesome roadbook holders and switch gear GATOS BROS - Super clever solutions DT1 FILTERS - Best filters we know of RENAZCO RACING - Super nice suede racing and dual sport saddles KONFLICT MOTORSPORTS - Excellence in suspension tuning SEAT CONCEPTS - Every butt has it's preference BRP - Awesome billet parts BELL HELMETS - Scott's dome doesn't trust anything else KLIM - Awesome riding gear! And these ROCK STAR inmates/Riff Raff: @brent tex - Airline miles and all around awesomeness @gagnaou - Exceptionally generous donation Terry B - Exceptionally generous donation <original post follows...> That's right, RMS/Rally PanAm is back! We've spent the last two years scouting for new talent to rebuild the team and we've got our privateer sights set on the big factory teams once again. We got our acceptance letters from the ASO today. It happened like this... Earlier this spring I drove out to Colorado to meet a very talented young rider, Ian Blythe. After my meeting with Ian, I drove down to Colorado Springs to layover at Neduro's house. That's when I learned that Ned and Ian know each other, and Ned jumped into the team as well--this time to help on the support side. As we got around to talking bigger and bigger, we roped in another inmate, FORE! (aka Scott Bright), to ride support for Ian. And RMS co-instructor and right-hand man, BicyclePhil, is all in, too. And so, the team is reborn! Meet Ian... Ian Blythe is from Sedalia, CO. At only 23, he is no stranger to the international stage. Ian is an ISDE gold medalist and has completed 3 ISDE's. He has competed in the FIM Enduro World Championship. He's at the top of the heap in AMA National Enduros and in WORCS, too. The kid has got talent. A few months back, Ian was new to the rally discipline. But after only a few days of navigation training, it became clear that he's a natural. We know that hoping for a win on his first year out would be a little crazy. But we think he's got the talent to be mixing it up with the aliens at the front of the field. We're expecting some impressive stage results and a solid overall finish. And here is FORE!, aka Scott: Scott is a 4-time ISDE competitor and medalist. Scott is crazy fast, as some of you inmates witnessed at Kings Of The West. He'll be able to keep up with Ian and offer support if Ian needs it. Scott and Ian have raced together for years, and Scott's a mentor in every sense of the word. Of course, rally racing (especially the Dakar) is really expensive. No doubt fundraising will be our biggest challenge--as always. The Riff Raff has been one of the team's most consistent and significant sponsors over the years. We're hoping that you'll be as stoked as we are about having a top American contender again. Bitchin' new Riff Raff kits are in the works! Thanks to our early sponsors Craftsman Tools, ICO Racing, and Doubletake Mirror. More sponsorship opportunities are available--ask me or Neduro for info. Stay tuned. We'll be sharing more of the back story and news as things develop. Sincerely, Dave, Ian, Scott, Ned, and Phil
It always good to hear about more Americans entering the Dakar. Good luck, looking forward to seeing you'all participate in the greatest race in the world.
My money is starting to warm up and will soon be burning a hole in my pocket. Get me a support package to spend it on!
So awesome, been missing the Riff Raff this past year. Hope you have the bikes all sorted already? Last minute shakedowns suck! Viva la Riff Raff!!!
We're working on it. T-shirt design forthcoming, and then a pretty kick ass Riff Raff package. Just sorting out the details on that. THE SUPPORT IS WAY APPRECIATED!!! Hang tight! There is a LOT more to come. Dave